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Picking the right doctors for a traumatic brain injury

On Behalf of | Mar 24, 2020 | Brain Injury

As a parent, you must play an active role in keeping your child healthy. If your son or daughter plays sports, participates in equestrian activities or otherwise leads an active lifestyle, he or she may eventually sustain a traumatic brain injury. Getting the right treatment for the injury is essential in ensuring that your child does not have long-term complications. 

TBIs are not exactly rare in the United States. In fact, there are nearly three million of them every single year. Unfortunately, because TBI symptoms may not appear immediately, the condition is sometimes difficult to treat. Still, working with the right healthcare professionals is essential. Here are three doctors you may need to involve: 

  1. An emergency-room doctor

If your son or daughter suffers a blow to the head, you probably do not want to wait for his or her pediatrician to conduct a full examination. Instead, you likely want to take your child to the hospital. There, an emergency-room doctor can explore whether your child has a concussion or another type of TBI. 

  1. A neurologist

In emergency rooms, attending physicians often seek assistance from neurologists. These doctors specialize in the treatment of injuries and illnesses that affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves. If your son or daughter has a TBI, the neurologist will likely perform a variety of tests to gauge its severity. He or she may also prescribe medication to help your child recover. 

  1. A neurosurgeon

Surgery is not always necessary with TBIs. On the contrary, most of these injuries resolve without surgical intervention. Nevertheless, if your child’s brain injury has caused certain complications, such as a brain bleed, a consultation with a neurosurgeon may be necessary. 

Having a child with a medical concern can be tremendously stressful. Fortunately, you do not have to work through the injury without professional help. By understanding the types of doctors who may see your son or daughter after a possible TBI, you increase your chances of getting your child the care he or she needs to recover fully.